Lock for automobiles



1. SOKOLOV.y

LocK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27, i920. `1,423,691 v PatentedJuly 25, 1922.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

V www? I. SOKOLOV.

LOCK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27, 1920. 1,423,691. Patented July 25, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- III..

E rr 1 /w JACOB SOKOLOV,

OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DEFIACE COMBINATION f awo Loox coaroaamiomf'or'DETROIrsMIGHIGAn .A GORPORATIQN or. MIGH- l-IG'AN. 1,423,691;

To all whom t 'may concern:

.Be it knowngthat l,- JAooB Sononov, a citizen of theY United States andy resident of Detroit, .county of ia-ynef, and. State of Michigan, have invented certain lnew and useful"Improvements lin Locks VJfor Automobiles, of Which thefollovving `is a specie `ii'cation. :L ,n

'My invention relates more particularly to an` improved combination lock wherein a plurality ofro-tatable. and depressible keys are employed and adapted', When set accordingf to la predetermined combination, to release the lockingjbolt. by the depression off one or more of the keys." When in locking position, .the bolt may be connected to disable some vital Apart of the automobile mechanism and preferably also lock the steering Wheel against rotation. lll amfaware that various automobile locks have been devised for disabling and renderciple.

4lcombination a tion keys asto be .able to learn theconibina- Vtion or release the bolt.

A A In my improved the keys the,

ing inoperative, vital partso'f the operative mechanism ofthe automobile, but these prior locksv employ-keys. ofthe ordinary type or operate on the ordinary combination prinllt is desirable in a lock of this character that, when locked, it shouldbe practically impossible 'for anyone not knovvingthe to s0 manipulatev the combinalcck, I have overcome many'of the previous` objections to locks of this character, and -made-alock capable ot being set or adjusted through a Wide range 'of comb nations `and practically impossible of manipulation byone not i'amiliar with thecombination so as to release4 the bolt. Preferably employ a plurality ot depressr ble keys .adapted to cooperate with spring pressed vtumblers in a. slidable bolt,reach of the keys being .provided Withccoperating membersyadapted to limit the depression of bolt When .the respective keys havefbeen 'angularly positioned7 according to a predetermined combination. Preferably, one or more of the keys is designate-d as a neutral Y.

key and not intended to be depressed When operating the releasing combination, ,and if depressed is adapted to lock the bolt. Anyone not kfamiliar with the neutral key LOCK ronl vanroivroisrriiis.

Specificatonof Letters Patent.

proper amountfto release the Patented July as, 19221.

Application mediteren 27, i920.y s'e'iai No; s691435. 1" ffl and its position, attempting to operate the lock Would therefore, find it impossiblevto release the bolt by depressinglthe neutral key, even though the remaining keys =-Were at the propercombination. v

`My improved 4lock is preferably adapted to be secured to the fixed columnsurround ing thesteering post so that the bolt thereof may cooperate vWith a spoke of the steering Wheel` and lock it against rotation, but the bolt may further be provided with a rod or extension lwhich may be connected in the 'usual or any preferred manner, Withy the ignition system, the 1gasoline supplyor other -vital-` operating element, `so that when the bolt is in locking position, the automobile will loe-completely disabled. l V l My improved lock is also so designed that the meansfor attachingthe lock to the fiXed column, `or-other fixed part of the machine will be concealed and rendered inaccessible when the'bolt is in place in the housing. Similarly the cover-cap, enclosing the adjustable members for varying the combination, is secured to thehousing by screws or other means which are rendered inaccessible by the bolt in place in the housing. These and other important features of my improved lock are adapted to render it safe and secure '-againstthe attempts of unauthorized persons to release or remove the lockand thereby secure control of the car.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown my improved lock as adapted to be attached to the fixed column ofthe automobile or to the instrument boardand have shown several formsor modifications for the combination adjusting members.

Referring tothe drawings, Fig. 1 represents one forni of my improved lock as attached to the iiXed column in position for the bolt to cooperate with the steering Wheel, the lock and the attaching clamps being shown in vertical section; Fig, 2 represents a top plan view ofthe lock attached tothe fixed column; Fig` 3 is a transverse crosssection of the fixed column and lock through the upper key of Fig. l;A Fig. 4 is a plan vieuT of the graduated sockets surrounding each off the key stems. the vieu7 being taken on the line lf-lof Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional development of the circle of sockets or holes of graduated depth shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 9; Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing one of the keys in depressed position for releasing the bolt; Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a modification; Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of another modification; Fig. 9 is a plan view of the socket member taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 represents my improved lock adapted for attachment to the instrument board of the machine and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the form shown in Fig. 10.

Referring' to the drawings and more i particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the lock is represented as attached to the fixed column 1 of an automobile, the steering wheel being represented partially broken away and in cross-section at 2. My improved lock preferably consists of a housing S provided with depending integral clamping member 4 adapted to partially surround the fixed column, as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A cooperating clamping member 5 is preferably hinged to the member 4 at 6, although obviously any interlocking device may be employed, instead of the hinge. The upper end of the member 5 is provided with a flattened face at 7 adapted to cooperate with a flattened face on the housing or portion thereof representing the extension of the clamping member 4. The members 4 and 5 are preferably secured together and the lock clamped to the fixed column by means of screws entering blind threaded holes in the members 5, the heads of the screws seating in counter-bored holes 9, and adapted to be covered by the locking bolt 10 when thesame is in the housing as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. By this construction, it will `be seen that the clamping screws for holding the lock in place upon the fixed column are rendered inaccessible after the locking bolt has been placed in the housing. This is desirable in order to prevent removal of the lock by unauthorized persons. The clamping member 5, preferably seats in a flanged socket so that it is impossible to get an in.- strument between the surfaces 7 to break the clamp, the flange being indicated at 11 in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing.

Cbviously, it is desirable to prevent displacement of the lock, with reference to its position on the fixed column, and while mere clamping by the clamps 4 and 5 may be sufficient, this may be supplemented by sockets or holes 12 bored in the xed column, cooperating with dowels or studs 13, projecting inward from the respective clamping members 4 and 5, as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, thereby effectively preventing circumferential or longitudinal displacement of the lock with respect to the fixed column.

The housing 3 of the lock preferably eX- tends longitudinally of the fixed column and i parallel thereto and is bored out, throughout its length, to accommodate the bolt 10, which is slidably mounted therein, and provided at its upper end with a fork 14, adapted, when the bolt is in locking position, to enclose a spoke 15 of the steering wheel 2 and thereby prevent rotation or steering movement of the wheel. The bolt 10 is preferably proi `vided with a plurality of transverse blind or socket holes fitted with pin tumblers 16, each adapted to be thrust outward by a spring 17, the tumblers being preferably equally spaced apart 4longitudinally of the bolt, substantially as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The under-side 18 of the locking the bolt. For this arrangement, it will be seen that the bolt may belooked` `against displacement either inthe locking position or in unlocked position. Under some conditions, it may not be desirable to lock the bolt when in idle position, but if it is desired to prevent anyone, not conversant with the combination, from idly `or mischievously throwing the bolt to locking position the sixth tumbler as indicatedmay be employed thus requiring that the combination shall be operated both for locking `and for unlocking the automobile.

ln the form of lock shown, l preferably employ five spring retracted depressible keys 20, provided with stems 21 entering the five holes in the housing for cooperation with the spring pressed tumblers 16, as indicated more particularly in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Flach of the keys is preferably provided with a depending stud or pin 22, located on the flange 23 of each key and adapted to cooperate with a series of holes or sockets 24, arranged in a circle about each key stem21, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. These holes or sockets are preferably of varying depths, the depth increasing from hole to hole, as indicated in the sectional development thereof, shown in Fig. 5 of the rawings. The upper edges or mouths of the holes or sockets 24 are preferably counter-sunk so as toprovide a beveled surface or edge for each socket. The studs or pins 22, as indicated in Figs. l, 3 and 5 of the drawings are preferably threaded into a hole in the flange 23 of the keys 2O and are therefore, adjustable with respect to the cooperating sockets or holes 24. Therefore, by adjusting the studs 22 the holes adapted cated an obvious modiiication in which the key stem 2l is screw threaded and made adjustable instead of the stud 22. @ther modiiications in the cooperating adjusting members may be made and I have shown another' .modilication in Figs. S and9 of the drawings, in which both the stem 21 and stud 2Q of the keys are liked and non-adjustable and I provide removable disc 33 in which the socket holes 2st are located, the sockets being of graduated depths as indicated in Fig. 5 ol? the drawings. The disc is preferably provided with a plurality of radial slots 231i-, adapted t cooperate with the pin il, which corresponds to the pin 3l, hereinbe'fore referred to. In this modification, (Fig. 8), it will be 4seen that to change the combination, all that is necessary is to litt the disc 33 and turn it to a new position with respect to the pin 31, the position oi the proper releasing hole or socket being indicated by a suitable mark or arrow head in Fig. S) or the drawings. The position or' the hole, opposite the arrow 35, with respect to the Zero position of the pin Si, will determine the angular movement required of the corresponding key and give the combination Vtor releasing the bolt.-

In Figs. 10 and l1 ot the drawings, I have shown a inodiiication, adapted to be secured to the instrument board, the bolt l()a thereoi being adapted to be connected in any suitable or preferred manner with mechanism iior disabling the carburetor, cut-otta the gasoline supply or break the ignition circuit in any suitable or preferred manner as is well-known in the prior art. rlhe bolt 10a, in this form ot my improvement is preferably square as indicated in Fig. 1i and is provided with spring tumblers i6 and keys 20 corresponding in every respect to and operating in the same manner as in the device as shown and described with respect to Figs. l, 2 and 3 ot the drawings, The corresponding parts are given the same indicating characters and no :turther description thereof should be required. In this -form, (Figs. lO and l1), the bolt is preferably provided with a handle or knob 36 tor moving the bolt up or down, longitudinally oi the housing, the latter being provided with a slot 37, as indicated in Fig. 10, through which the knob or handle 36 projects. The corresponding screws 8a, for securing the housing to the instrument board 38 are adapted to be concealed and rendered inaccessible when the bolt l()a is in position in the housing. The screws 8a pass through the instrument board and enter blindly into the back-plate 39 thereby securing the lock in position and preventing unauthorized persons from tampering with or removing the same from the machine.

In describing my improved lock, I have shown aiew modifications, but obviously, various yother modifications in the specific details of construction may be made without departing :trom the spiritand 4scope of the invention.

l. In a lock, the combination with a bolt provided with a spring pressed tumbler, of a depi'essible key provided with a stem adapted `to cooperate with said tumbler to release the bolt, said key being rotatable about .its stem to a predetermined angular position for releasing said bolt when depressed, cooperatingy members adapted for limiting the depression of the key, and means for adjusting the relation between said cooperatingmembers, whereby the angular position oi the key when depressed for releasing said bolt maybe varied.

2. `In a lock, the combination with a bolt provided with a spring pressed pin tumbler, oi a depressible key, a member operable by said key and adapted for cooperation with said tumbler, to move the same to release said bolt when the Vkeyis depressed, said ,key being rotatable to different angular .iositions coo eratinfr members ada ted to he brought into engagement, when the key is depressed, for limiting the depression of said key, and means for adjusting the -relation between said cooperating members, whereby the angular position of the-key when depressed ior releasing said bolt may be varied.

3. In a lock, the combination with a bolt provided with a plurality of spring pressed pin tumblers, said bolt being slidably mounted in a housing having openings adapted to cooperate with said tumblers to lock the bolt, ot a pluralityof depressilcleI keys provided with stems entering the tumbler holes in said housing, said keys being rotatable to different angular positions,`and cooperating members adapted for engagement between the respective keys and the housing when the keys are depressed `for limiting the depression of said keys, the relations between the stems and cooperating members of the respective keys `being such that 'the corresponding tumblers may be moved to release the bolt only at a single predetermined angular position tor each key when the keys are depressed to releasesaid bolt.

4e. In a lock, oi the character described,

extending through said housing and provided with a plurality ot spring pressed tumblers adapted to cooperate with holes in the housing for locking the bolt, keys the combination of a housing, a slidable bolt provided with stems slidably mounted in said holes in the housing for cooperation with said tumblers 'for releasing the bolt, said keys being rotatably mounted for angular adjustment to predetermined positions for depressing the corresponding tumblers the required amount to release said bolt, and adjustable means for varying the angular releasing positions of the respective keys.

5. In a lock oi the character described, the combination of a housing, a bolt slidably mounted therein and provided with a plurality of spring pressed tumblers adapted for cooperation with holes in said housing, a pluralityot' keys provided with stems entering the tumbler holes in said housing and adapted for cooperation with said tumblers for releasing said bolt by depression of said keys, adjustable members between said keys and the housing for limiting` the depression of the keys, said keys being rotatably mounted to vary the angular positions of the respective keys to bring said cooperating members into positions, where,by depression of the keys, they are adapted for Asimultaneously depressing the corresponding tumblers to release said bolt, a cover cap enclosing said members and through which said keys are adapted to project, said cover being removable when it is desired to adjust said members to change the angular releasing positions of the respective keys' and means for securing said cover-cap to the housing, said securing means being inaccessible when said bolt is in the housing.

6. In a lock of the character described, the combination with a bolt provided With tumblers for locking the same, of aplurality of depressible and rotatablekeys for cooperation with said tumblers, said keys being adapted to be rotated from iXed starting positions to predetermined angular positions before they are depressed for releasing said bolt, means for locating the starting point from which to measure the angular rotation and means for determining the angular rotation thereof.

7. In a lock of the character described, the combination with a bolt provided with pin tumblers for locking the same, of a plurality of depressible and rotatable keys provided with stems for cooperation with said tumblers, said keys being provided with means whereby they are adapted, when depressed to move said pin tumblers sufficiently to release the bolt only at predetermined angular positions of the respective keys, means for indicating the angular positions of said keys and means whereby the predetermined angular positions o the respective keys for releasing the bolt may be varied to change the combination.

8. In a lock of the character described,

the combination with a bolt provided with ation With said tumblers, means for limiting the rotation of said keys in one direction and trom which the angular position of the respective keys may be reckoned and means for determining the relative angular movement of the respective keys when the same are rotated, said means being adapted for determining the angular positions in the dark.

9. In a lock of thev character described, the combination with a bolt provided with spring pressed tumblers for locking the same, of a plurality ofl depressible and rotatable keys provided with stems for cooperation vwith said tumblers, cooperating members for locating the initial or starting point for measuring the angular rotation of the keys, and cooperating ratchet devices comprising a fixed member and a rotatable member for each key adapted to ratchet, one over the other for counting and determining the angular rotative positions of the respective keys.

10. In a lock of the character described, the combination of a housing, a bolt slidably mounted in said housing, a plurality of spring pressed tumblers in said bolt adapted for cooperation with holes in said housing, a plurality of keys provided with stems entering the holes in said housing for cooperation with said tumblers, said keys being rotatably mounted for adjustment according to predetermined combinations, a plurality of sockets of varying depth located in the housing circumferentially with respect to the stemy of each key, a depending stud on each of said keys adapted for cooperation with said sockets to limit the depression of the respective keys, the adjustment between the `studs and said sockets be- 1 ing such that only one socket for each keyv will limit the depression of the respective keys to move the corresponding tumblers so as to release the bolt, and means for changing the relations between the respective studs and sockets so as to vary the angular movement of the keys and thereby change the combination required for releasing said bolt.

ll. In a lock of the character described, the combination of a housing adapted to be secured to a lixed part of the automobile, a bolt extending through said housing and slidable therein, provided with a plurality of spring pressed tumblersadapted to enter holes in said housing to lock the bolt, a plurality of depressible keys provided with stems entering the tumbler holes in said housing, said keys being spaced apart'longitudinally or' said bolt, a cover-cap provided with a plurality of flanged openings through Whieh said keys project, springs for rester` ing and holding saiclkeys` in their normal positions, means for securing said cover-cap' to the housing, said securing means being rendered inaccessible when said bolt is in. the housing, cooperating members between the housing and said keys for variably limiting the depression thereof, said keys being angularly adjust-able to bring said cooperating members into positions whereby there- `cooperating Inernbers for changing the con1- bination.

JACOB SOKOLOV. 

